Minister calls for special prayers as Middle East conflict escalates
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan issued the call today. - BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: Muslims across Malaysia have been urged to perform the solat hajat (special prayers) and recite the Qunut Nazilah following the escalation of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan issued the call today. "I urge Muslims nationwide to recite the Qunut Nazilah and perform Solat Hajat for the peace of Gaza and the Middle East," he said in a Facebook post. The directive follows a new wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes launched by Iran targeting Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 07:33 UTC
Mother breaks down as son's body recovered from river
Jainal Hasim’s body was discovered about 30m from the main road along Sungai Kalansanan - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININKOTA KINABALU: A mother broke down upon seeing her son's body brought out of Sungai Kalansanan at about 1.20pm today. The victim's mother said her son had asked for permission to go out to meet a friend the day before. Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said preliminary investigations found the body of a man about 30m from the main road along the river. He said the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters, together with the Forensic Unit from the Sabah contingent police headquarters, conducted a detailed examination at the scene. He said the body has been sent to Hospital Queen Elizabeth I for a post-mortem to determine the official cause of death.
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 07:28 UTC
King extends 93rd Army Day greetings
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Sunday (March 1) extended his wishes to all Malaysian Army personnel and veterans on the occasion of the 93rd Army Day. In a post on the official Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, His Majesty, who is the Supreme Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces, also expressed his highest appreciation for the service and sacrifices of all army personnel in defending the sovereignty of the homeland and preserving national security. Sultan Ibrahim said integrity must remain the core pillar at every level of the force, while continuing to serve with full professionalism to ensure that Malaysia remains peaceful and sovereign. "Al-Fatihah to the personnel and veterans who have left us forever. May they be placed among the faithful and the martyrs,” His Majesty said.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 06:37 UTC
UN Secretary-General unable to confirm reports of Khamenei's death
NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he could not verify reports of the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti. US President Donald Trump has claimed that Khamenei was killed in military strikes on Iran, although Tehran has not officially confirmed his death. "Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including—according to Israeli sources—Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which I am not in a position to confirm," Guterres said at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday (Mar 1).
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 06:09 UTC
217 Star awards open
STUDENTS seeking to obtain funded tertiary studies now have the opportunity to vie for the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2026. In its 33rd edition this year, the fund offers a total of 217 bond-free scholarships worth RM14.71mil from 29 educational institutions (see infographic). Emphasising that award selection takes into account various factors, the Star Education Fund selection panel called on students to apply. Since its inception in 1994, the Star Education Fund has benefited 4,601 scholarship recipients, with a value of RM176mil. Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, who officiated the launch of the Star Education Fund Scholarship Awards 2026 at Menara Star on Feb 5, expressed special thanks to UCSI University and UCSI College for partnering with the fund for 32 years, and to Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology for 29 years of support.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 06:05 UTC
Badminton-India's Sindhu stranded at Dubai airport amid Middle East crisis
March 1 (Reuters) - India's double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu said that she was left stranded at Dubai airport on her way to the All England badminton tournament after the flight operations were suspended in the city as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region. Explosions were heard across the Gulf as Iran responded with a salvo of missiles, including in the United Arab Emirates' capital of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, leading to Dubai International Airport suspending all flights. I am safe right now, stuck here with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve,” Sindhu wrote in a post on social media on Saturday. The All England Open tournament is scheduled to start from March 3. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside business hours regarding any contingency plans.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 05:59 UTC
‘Three of Daim’s children abroad’
KUALA LUMPUR: Three of the four children of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, who are being sought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in an investigation, are currently overseas, says Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban. He said Immigration Department records showed that the three left Malaysia at the end of January and in early February. However, he said one of the four children, who had previously been recorded as having travelled abroad, has since returned to the country. On Friday, the MACC said it was locating four children of the former finance minister to assist in an investigation under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009. He said the probe is being conducted by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Special Investigation Unit.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 05:57 UTC
Iran confirms the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei
Tehran (dpa): Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, according to Iranian state media. He was killed as a "martyr," the IRNA and Fars news agencies reported on Sunday (March 1). Earlier, US President Donald Trump had declared Khamenei dead, after the United States and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: "This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country." The assault, which killed more than 200 people according to the Red Crescent, triggered retaliatory strikes against Israel and US military forces based in the Middle East.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 05:50 UTC
Wisma Putra: Malaysians safe amid widespread flight disruptions
In a statement on Sunday (March 1), Wisma Putra said its diplomatic missions have been providing consular assistance to Malaysians stranded in several countries following widespread flight cancellations. “All Malaysians who have been contacted so far are reported to be safe and accounted for,” it said. It added that Malaysian diplomatic missions are assisting or are in contact with Malaysians stranded in, among others, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Syria, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. “The Ministry’s Operations Room in Putrajaya is actively coordinating these consular efforts with Malaysian missions across the affected region,” it added. Malaysians were also reminded to closely follow the official social media platforms of Malaysian diplomatic missions in their respective locations for real-time local updates.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 05:26 UTC
Anwar: Allegations of inaction over Quran desecration unfounded
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed as unfounded allegations that the government failed to act over an incident involving the desecration of the Quran. The prime minister stressed that in a country that upholds the rule of law, any action must be guided by due legal process rather than emotional pressure or perceptions shaped on social media. Anwar urged all parties to leave the matter entirely to the authorities and refrain from making speculations or issuing statements that could undermine public harmony. Condemning in the strongest terms the actions of Swedish-Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan for burning a copy of the Quran in Sweden, Anwar said there are widespread misunderstandings and prejudices against religions around the world, including Islam. Following the incident, Malaysia distributed one million copies of the Quran worldwide as a response to the desecration in Sweden.
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 05:19 UTC
CAAM: Middle East airspace closures may disrupt flights
PUTRAJAYA (March 1): The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has advised that recent airspace closures in parts of the Middle East may disrupt certain international flight services. In a statement Sunday, CAAM said airlines operating to and from the affected region could face delays, retiming, rerouting or cancellations due to evolving airspace restrictions and operational considerations. “CAAM is closely monitoring the situation and engaging with the relevant airlines to ensure passenger interests continue to be safeguarded,” the statement said. Airlines were also urged to provide appropriate care, assistance and alternative travel options to affected passengers in accordance with the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code (MACPC). CAAM said it will continue to monitor developments and work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure safe operations and protect consumer rights.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 01, 2026 05:16 UTC
Several loud blasts heard over Dubai, Doha for second day, witnesses say
DUBAI/DOHA (March 1): Several loud blasts were heard in the Dubai area and over the Qatari capital Doha for a second day on Sunday, witnesses said, after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on the neighbouring Gulf states in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.
Source:The Edge Markets
March 01, 2026 05:01 UTC
Wisma Putra extends consular aid to Malaysians stranded amid Middle East tensions
KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, through its diplomatic missions in the Middle East, has been extending consular assistance to Malaysians stranded in several countries due to flight cancellations amid the current developments in the region. The ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, said all contacted individuals remain safe and accounted for. It also urged Malaysians to adhere strictly to instructions from local authorities, shelter in place if advised, and continuously monitor the official social media pages of their respective Malaysian diplomatic missions for real-time local updates. “The ministry urges all Malaysians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified rumours, and rely strictly on official news sources and official Ministry channels for accurate updates,” it added. For emergency consular assistance, Malaysians in affected areas who are unable to reach out to Malaysian Diplomatic Missions may contact the Ministry’s Operations Room directly at +603-8887 4570 or via email at [email protected].
Source:The Edge Markets
March 01, 2026 04:36 UTC
Trump says Iran's Khamenei is dead
Feb 28 (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday. "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump said on Truth Social, without elaborating on the source of the information. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Source:The Star
March 01, 2026 03:59 UTC
Inter continue Scudetto march after Champions League humbling
-AFP PICMILAN: Inter Milan bounced back from Champions League elimination with Saturday's 2-0 win over Genoa which continued their march towards the Serie A title. Their domestic dominance comes in stark contrast to the humiliating manner in which they were dumped out of the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night. - BIG ROM BACK -Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in the champions' 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward's first goal of the season. Napoli's title defence is all but over as they trail Inter by 14 points after an injury-ravaged season. Como are also two points ahead of sixth-placed Juve who face Roma trying to stay in touch with the Champions League places after being eliminated from Europe's elite club competition by Galatasaray on Wednesday.- AFP
Source:New Strait Times
March 01, 2026 01:30 UTC